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Thursday, April 17, 2014

Me, Madurai and Mock Interviews

I belong to a
culturally rich city called Madurai in Tamilnadu, India. It has been 10 years
since I moved out of the city with a B.Sc degree. Going back to my roots is an idea I am nourishing ever since I moved out. I have been working with people in various
capacities over these years. As a specialist in Training and Development, my
primary job with Corporates is to develop people and make them skilled for the Job they are
expected to perform.

I learn
from experiences. When I look back, I am amazed at how I have acquired the
required skills in the last ten years. I think, developing others have helped
me grow as a Professional. I would sincerely love to take back these skills to
my native and work for the development of the student community there. When I
was a student in 2003, I would have loved to have someone like the current me
as a mentor. I didn't get any. In
2014, I should give that opportunity to the students who would love to make use
of me. I can mentor, guide and help them to get a good launch pad.

With this in
mind, I scheduled a mock interview session for students in Madurai. A mock interview will provide students with a real experience of an interview. It will help them evaluate their strength and weakness. During my MBA days in Gurgaon, I have benefited extensively through such interventions by the college.17 students from various colleges in Madurai signed up for the mock interview. I was feeling extremely happy and fulfilled
after meeting them all over a period of three days. I spent about 30 to 40 minutes
with every student. Asked them questions to understand their logical thinking, basic
technical and communication skills. The small house that my Dad built long back
helped us as a free venue. My Alma mater, Sourashtra College gave their
classroom for one of the interview days.

Here is an
analysis of their performance:

Here are the
shockers:

The quality of
students have not changed in the last 10 years. Most of them sounded like
me and my friends ten years back. We were under-qualified to get a Job then.

Even today,listening to movie songs is
their primary Hobby. They do not have any other hobby.

Most were unable to answer
basic technical questions from their specialization.

Huge vacuum in their ability to
relate concepts to practical applications

There is one
good news too:

Everyone showed
great interest in improving their employability. Unfortunately, those who
are supposed to guide them(Teachers,Parents) do not have the required exposure. Hence, students alone can not be blamed.

What would
they need:

I will have to
spend more time with them to be precise at explaining their need. Till that time, I think they will
need the following:

Someone to mentor
them on choosing a career path

Exposure through
practicing professionals

Self development
interventions on communication skills

Freedom from their
parents and the society to think as they wish

Better teaching staff who can
create an interest than just cover the lesson plan

I am determined to work on the first three needs. Have to make better use of my time to be able
to do that. Hope I can, as I want to...

Here is the
next Mock interview schedule(24th to 26th April) and registration form. If you are a student or
know of a needy student, please use this opportunity.

I am really proud of you krish... All our college students should need one good mentors like you. We didn't have this opportunity when we studied in our college days. :( I admire you once again krish....:)

Thanks Dinesh. I am still trying to understand where did we go wrong. Why is there no development in the quality of students over many years? The college where we studied is an example. There are more. In fact, every college is in that list.

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About Me

My introduction gets edited every month and completely changes every 2 years. Currently working for a large e-commerce company. Surviving in Chennai bearing all its pollution. Still a Citizen of India surviving all the political non sense around. Still retaining some sense in the brain withstanding all the non sense the society is taken through. Now, you can make it out about me. Currently!